Joyce Snyder always looked for the best in others – and always found it! It was part of her “romantic” nature to want every story to have a happy ending, and every person to live out a happy ending.
A chapter has ended happily for Joyce, as she passed peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 in her home surrounded by family. She was 82.
Born Jan. 26, 1934 to parents Cecil Emerson and Florance A. “Ted” (Baer) Cramer in Mansfield, Joyce graduated from Mansfield Senior High with the class of 1952. It was at a mutual friend’s birthday party that she met a young Bellville man, who quickly became infatuated with her, and on Sept. 2, 1955 she married Thomas Arthur “Art” Snyder.
Initially Joyce worked as an executive secretary at Lumbermans. While living in Colorado Springs she worked with Smartt Realty, and after returning to Mansfield in 1956 accepted a position as an executive secretary at Gorman Rupp.
Most people remember Joyce from her 22-year career with Mansfield General Hospital, working for the Director of Nursing and Human Resources departments. She retired from the hospital in 1994.
One of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Joyce was associated with the Mansfield East Congregation.
Joyce was a social creature! She took up bridge clubs while living in Colorado, and continued playing her lifetime. Though she enjoyed the challenge of a good crossword puzzle, she cherished time with friends and family – full of smiles and laughs. She cared for others – often from her kitchen – her ham loaf, sloppy joes and chocolate mayonnaise cake were specialties.
A beautiful woman of faith, she will be remembered for her loving kindness, sense of humor and role as supporter: as an encourager, Joyce engaged in the lost art of hand-written letter writing, lifting spirits with notes and cards. Joyce was a friend to numerous and a best friend to many.
She is survived by her loving husband Thomas “Art” Snyder; daughter Beth Hardcastle, of Pace, Florida; sons Jerry Snyder, of Delaware, and Dr. Ted Snyder, of Cincinnati; grandson Austin Hardcastle, of Nashville, Tennessee; brother Douglas (Carol) Cramer, of Elkhart, Indiana; sister Beverly (Sonny) Samples, of Galion; in-laws Paul Snyder, of Bellville, Pat (Larry) Hoffman, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Janet Hope, of Bellville, Jim (Pat) Snyder, of Bellville, Helen Snyder, of Mt. Vernon, Gifta Snyder, of Bellville, Madeline Snyder, of Marion, and Bill Ritchie, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
The Snyder family will receive friends Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life honoring a Happy Ending for Joyce will be held Monday Jan. 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. Celebrant Jerry Wilson will speak. Burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Joyce’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory – or watch Joyce’s tribute video – online at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
